Former Indian wicket keeper batsman Deep Dasgupta has opined that he will back the young generation of bowlers before once again going back to Bhuvneshwar Kumar after the T20I series against New Zealand.
Kumar was added to India’s T20I squad after he scalped 28 wickets in 16 matches of IPL 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and played a key role in the franchise’s success.
But, the veteran seamer didn’t have a great return to Indian colors as he scalped one wicket at an average of 180 in four games and conceded his runs at an economy rate of 11.25.
Deep Dasgupta said on his YouTube Channel, “It is unfair because everyone was scoring 230 so easily. Every bowler was giving 10-11 runs per over there. It would be very unfair to say Bhuvi did not do well, because no bowler did well. I was very happy for Bhuvneshwar when he was picked, but that also tells me: where is the next generation?
“Bhuvi has served very well. He is such an underrated performer. We sometimes forget his contribution. But I think it is time to look at younger options, and if you don’t have those options ready, obviously Bhuvi comes in. I would look at other options before going back to Bhuvi.”
Bhuvneshwar was dropped from the fourth T20I against New Zealand and made a comeback in the fifth game. But the veteran seamer bagged figures of 0-41 in his quota of four overs in the final match.
The former Bengal cricketer said scores of 230-240 have become a norm in International cricket, which is a problem.
“The main problem for me is that scores of 230-240 have looked easy in the last two series. That is something that we need to look at. After a while, it becomes a little boring to see just fours and sixes. That’s the only thing, and I feel for the bowlers, to be fair. Also, India don’t have much experience in their bowling unit, and the same challenge will be there in the ODIs as well.”
Meanwhile, India need to chase 186 in the opening ODI against New Zealand.
